Playhouse Presents

In 1973, former National Front member Ricky Tomlinson is convicted of conspiracy to intimidate when as half of the so-called Shrewsbury Two, he refuses to give evidence against other flying pickets upholding a building site strike. Sentenced to two years, Ricky sees himself as a political prisoner, declining to eat or wear prison clothes until at his last prison, the governor introduces him to a book that changes his outlook on life.

Dian Fossey vents why she's so hostile; Diana Dors is confronted by Marilyn Monroe; and The Therapist examines a brooding Virginia Woolf and a love-struck Cleopatra.

Childhood friends Stephen and Carl spend a winter kicking around the estate where they live, playing on the computer - for which 'Cargese' is the password and exploring old warehouses. Stephen's father walked out years ago and now his mother is dying, he feels that he will be deserted yet again. Other than his meek brother Alex and girlfriend, his only comfort in life is Carl. But when Carl announces that he will be leaving the estate for further education, it is the last straw for the increasingly unhinged Stephen, who is prepared to implicate his friend in a murder to keep control over him.

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford battle over diva status; sisters Emily, Charlotte and Anne Brontë can't stop quarrelling; and Sylvia Plath needs to be a little more cheerful!

As John Nettles and Suranne Jones arrive at a Guildford theatre for a touring production of 'Romeo and Juliet', a mockumentary concentrates on the stage door 'Johnnies', the fans who congregate at the back of the theatre waiting for the stars to come out. Shambling Tony makes unusual presents for the players whilst acerbic video shop manager Marco offers them 'constructive' criticism on past performances, and Meg and Susan may look sweet but are actually are subject to a restraining order banning them from coming within fifty feet of Nettles. Ralph might be the quiet one but isn't averse to joining in on a little bodily harm as the fans make their allegiance known.

Thirtysomething transvestite Gary at last plucks up the courage to attend a South End disco for cross-dressers, though the whole occasion is very hesitant as he argues with his alter ego the pros and cons of coming out.

Singleton Jenny works at a small accountancy firm and has an on-off relationship with her boss, Doug. As she walks to work, she becomes aware of Chris, a homeless man who sits huddled on the pavement and is something of a philosopher, commenting on the different shoes she wears and her weight loss. She befriends him and learns that he lost his family in a house fire three years earlier and, as his philosophy becomes more profound, they allow her to take stock of her own situation.

Policemen Len and Vic are called to Union Square flats after a middle-aged woman reports seeing an intruder. However, on arrival, Len discovers that the woman is not really concerned with securing her property but takes him into a room with erotic photos and wants to talk about sex.

In 1991, 51-year-old John Lennon, living on the dole in Birmingham and following the moderate success of The Beatles, recalls how he left the band in 1962 after they were persuaded to release 'How Do You Do It?' as a single, rather than 'Love Me Do'. His intolerance for Jobsworths – or 'Snodgrasses', as he calls them – puts him out of contention for a job.

Johnny is the eager-to-please ASM and understudy to arrogant actor Roger Kite, who is due to play Andy Warhol in an upcoming West End production. Roger treats Johnny abominably, forcing him to make his coffee, sort his fan mail and - particularly - keep him away from the theatre's lucky mascot, a black cat called Diddly. As opening night approaches, Kite's attitude worsens, causing the young man to hear voices urging him to prevent Kite from starring.

In a post-apocalyptic 1970s Britain ruled by an ominous Ministry of Information, a lone sniper struggles to maintain his sanity. Ordered to watch and protect stranded survivors, the Snipist must fend off attacks from rabid dogs and protect what remains of his own humanity, but is reality exactly as he sees it?

Middle class and middle aged, district nurse Natalie has become trapped in a meaningless, routine existence until she’s drawn into the lives of two very different women: Elsie, an elderly lady nearing the end of her life, and Sammy, the 12-24v in-car power adapter girl next door who seemingly has everything to live for.[

Working-class mum Dorothy Green lands the position of London's first female mayor after her defiant stand against rioters goes viral.

Aging singer Ron is troubled by the failure of his musical career, and his fading marriage to Tina. When their old friend Nina visits for the first time in 40 years, fond reminiscences soon give way to explosive revelations.

A verbatim account of Richard Nixon’s time in the Oval office, based on more than 198 hours of recordings made between February 1971 and 1973.

In 1979, middle-aged Neville and his mother Melba perform as a double act and dream of stardom

An artist named Will observes life in minute detail, providing a witty and acerbic critique of his life. When a tragedy occurs, Will is forced to reconsider the trust he has in the urban-suburban, middle-class landscape of his middle-aged friends.